Thursday, August 27, 2026, Empire Report

The Empire Report – Thursday, August 27, 2026 – Race Analysis

RACE 1 – NAADA Summer Series Finale: (1) BIG LIMO has gone some BIG miles in these amateur races the past couple of years, and that includes last week’s terrific 2nd place finish behind WINDSONG PIONEER – he was well behind that one at the wire that night, but may be able to turn the tables here after drawing the pole (8) WINDSONG PIONEER was somehow listed at 20-1 ML on the program last week but he’s done some excellent work in these races and was (correctly) sent off as the 3/2 favorite…then just obliterated the field with an eye-popping 1:56.2 score (in his first start for a new trainer) – obvious threat to repeat, even starting from Post 8! (2) SHAKE N BAKE is a consistent weekly performer, gets a good draw with Yogi on board and one that belongs in your exotics. (3) P C FREE WHEELING has been picking up good pieces every week, gets another good post, but also gets a new pilot – we’ll see how they get along. (7) CAL MILES N SHELL left to a good spot last week but just fell apart chasing the very hot 3/4s – could be looking at another tough trip tonight. (6) BABY TAO is capable of good efforts but draws poorly, and was scr. injured from his last (3 weeks ago). (5) BONTONI DEGATO S struggled badly last week, and seems off form, in general. (4) BARN CREDIT gets a better draw, but that may not be enough to help his cause

RACE 2 – (1) FIGHT NOT FLIGHT has taken 4 of her last 5 starts, the lone loss coming when 2nd (from Post 7) to the currently razor sharp SPIRIT OF PEARL A – she’ll be a very short price here, but clearly the one to knock off. (6) IDEALINFUN has also won 4 of her last 5, the one blemish being when a no-threat 2nd behind the top choice 3 starts back – tough draw, but still the main danger. (3) DWS DARLENE has some decent tries from her last 6 starts vs. better, and drops back down to a more comfortable spot tonight – logical threat for exotics. (4) RACIN FOR RO YALTY doesn’t feel like a threat to win, but she tries hard and could very well rally her way for a decent piece. (8) BIG CITY DAISY seems in a bad spot to leave but in a worse spot if she tries to rally from last – may just need to wait for a better scenario. (7) HURRIKANE MARIGOLD fits ok with these, but faces limited options after drawing so poorly. (5) YOUNONOTHINJON gets a big barn change but does seem better suited for cheaper. (2) EVELYNA IT IS moves back inside, but likely still only looking at a chance for minor spoils

RACE 3 – (3) MIRACLE MAVEN made her Yonkers debut a winning one, knocking off the talented (and heavily favored) BRAVO ANGEL S in the process – deserves the edge tonight, though she’s hardly a cinch! (4) ALWAYS A STORY sat 3rd behind the top choice last week (after leaving from Post 7) and had plenty of trot to the wire to be right there – moves inside, been good every week, and has a legitimate chance to turn the tables this time. (7) WALS PEA had an excellent 3YO campaign and was sharp right off the bat after returning at 4 – she may be the “best” mare in here, but she’ll also have to contend with Post 7 (in her first Yonkers attempt), and will have Trond at the lines – would want a pretty fair price to try her on top. (5) PAYBACK MONI won 7 of 12 starts here this year, with some pretty huge efforts along the way – she has tremendous speed, but she’s missed a couple of months and tough to endorse on top as the 2-1 ML favorite. (1) EXQUISITE TASTE probably isn’t a threat to win, but she’s a solid mare and the rail draw puts her in play for a small slice. (6) R LADY W rebounded last week from a tough outing the week before but lands an awful draw for tonight. (2) VOGUISH still feels overmatched, even moving inside

RACE 4 – (2) COALFORD TOPGUY GB feels a little off his best game these days (after a lot of tough miles this year) but it’s not like he’s been “bad”, and he’s been facing better than these – reunites with Bartlett for the first time in a while, and that may perk him up enough to handle this modest bunch. (4) COALFORD HITMAN GB shipped up to Tioga from KY and immediately thrived – his last 3 starts suggests he could be a good fit with the locals too. (6) ALTA CLASSIC A can be a little in-and-out and tonight’s draw isn’t going to help his cause…but he drops down to 30s, and that 15-1 ML price does make him worth at least a look. (4) THONG CONTROL was quickly re-claimed form his last, and does his best work with a good trip – the right scenario could make him a late threat. (1) RAYRAY has been 3rd in 9 of his 19 starts this year – certainly playable at the bottom of tris and Supers. (5) INVICTUS was dull in his last pair – watching for better signs. (7) ROLLING WITH SAM was dull in his last pair and now draws Post 7. (8) INTIMIDATION also isn’t sharp, and lands behind the 8 ball.

RACE 5 – (7) CREDIT CON is doing good work since recently re-joining a barn he once had a lot of success with – he has the speed to overcome tonight’s draw, and definitely worth a good look vs. a seemingly very beatable bunch. (4) THEOBALD was on a very good roll but then broke twice after being claimed – re-qualified, then stayed trotting for 3rd last week in a quick mile – possibility if he continues to behave. (2) BELLISSIMO FACE S looked like a very easy winner last week but just curled up in the lane (with a big lead, beaten by #8) in a :30.4 final quarter – maybe he can make amends tonight, but he won’t offer any value with that 7/5 ML price. (5) WARRAWEE WHISP ER has been in and out at best lately, but is at least capable of pulling off an upset if he’s able to find his best effort. (3) BO SILAS is racing ok since changing barns 2 back, and has a chance for a minor share tonight (8) RADIO LAB pulled off an improbable 14-1 upset last week, collaring the seemingly home-free BELLISSIMO FACE S when that one just fell apart in the final 75 yards – will have a tough time replicating that success from out here. (1) SOUTHSI DE BAR won here 4 back but vs. much easier – not sure he can hang with these. (6) HAT TRICK MARLEAU is still looking for his first local win of 2026 – minor spoils only.

RACE 6 – (1) ONAJETPLANE is 0 for 9 to start off 2026 but he’s hit board in 5 of his last 6 starts, coming pretty close a couple of times – maybe he can take advantage of the draw and finally work out a winning trip. (5) HIGH SPEED SWAN has been ultra-consistent all year long, and definitely races best for Bartlett – very dangerous here, but also likely to be overbet! (6) BLOCKCHAIN was an excellent 7-4-2-1 here in 2025 – he made a miscue in his first local try of the year but then hit board in his last 4 starts, racing very well each time – eligible to pull of an upset here if the trip goes his way. (2) VANDY LANE was a little dull 2 back but bounced right back to charge home and win his last – steps up in class, but a live trip could put him right back in the mix. (8) KILDARE KING has been on a roll since recently joining our leading barn, no big surprise since he has over $750K in career earnings – tough task trying to reach from out here, though. (4) SEVEN LAYER had a couple of rough outings but rebounded with a “more like it” effort last week– still think he may be a notch below the top ones, however. (3) HAND DOVER DAN probably will need class relief to be more effective. (7) AQUARIUS FACE S draws poorly, while up in class

RACE 7 – (1) STACKING GREEN has been very good for a long time but her last couple were outstanding, turning in a HUGE recovery 2 back after an uncharacteristic early miscue, then getting nailed late in her last despite trotting the mile in 1:54.3 – going to be very tough tonight with another effort like that. (7) JAS BLUESTONE was a little disappointing when 3rd two back but that mile is sandwiched between a pair of very sharp victories– the main danger even with the bad draw. (2) BEACON BEACH will be much closer to the action tonight (with the post relief) and he’s a proven player in this class – belongs in exotics. (5) KAYS IN CHARGE has enjoyed a very profitable year but does race best when she lands on an easy trip…and that may or may not happen tonight. (8) THE BRODSTER did turn in a wire to wire stunner from Post 8 three back but he’s sure to have #7 leaving right to his inside here, making a repeat of that effort far less likely – minor share? (3) SONGS IN THE WIND can be forgiven for last week’s break before the start but he still needs to prove that he can be a player against these tougher ones. (4) JESSES DOLL has had some recent Monti success, but may find things a lot tougher here. (6) BIG CHARLIE MORAN picked up his first local win in 4 years recently, but he’s been over his head in 40s ever since

RACE 8 – (2) UNCLE RAT was doing great work out of town vs. cheaper but was able to be just as effective vs. the 40s here, turning in a pair of BIG miles for his new trainer – steps up to face even tougher now, but just may be up for it. (1) MATTHEWS has really started to blossom as a 4YO, and is doing outstanding work ever since moving to his current barn in June – he’s another that seems capable of being a threat even at this higher level. (3) TORRONE just got nipped in this class 2 back, and fits very nicely in here – would be no surprise at all. (6) WOLFPACK ZACH has done outstanding work at Stga. this year for low-profile connections – he finally gets a chance to show his stuff here at Yonkers, and we’ll see if he can be as effective vs. these. (4) COMMODUS A was an easy winner last start, but helped when the leader gave way without a fight – possible for sure, but likely to end up overbet. (5) FRANK LEAHY took advantage of a great trip last week to deliver the solid victory – seems more likely to be battling for a smaller share tonight, though. (7) TAIPAN AS won his first 2 local starts easily then was off to a great start in his last before making a costly miscue off turn three – leaning elsewhere. (8) E PASS struggled for a similar spot in last

RACE 9 – (3) IM A POWERPLAY A was scratched lame for $20K on 7/13, took a month off and just qualified back nicely – drops in for 15s, has won a ton of races here in the past, and may be ready to score in his YR return. (2) WELL THATS MARKY has been racing well again, gets another good draw and figures to make his presence felt once more. (1) KARLOO BRADLEY N was a bit better dropping to 15s last week but will almost certainly get overbet tonight and definitely could be at least a bit vulnerable. (6) BLACK HAWK JOE A has some good recent efforts and was just claimed by a barn having a very good year – he’ll be a good price, and shouldn’t be dismissed too quickly. (5) J B GRAM’s recent efforts have been mostly “meh” – ok to include underneath. (7) DIAMONDBE ACH feels like he could be getting a bit better lately, but will have trouble overcoming tonight’s draw. (4) FRANCO NANDOR N will save ground and hope for a minor share. (8) BETTORBUCKLEUP gets a new trainer, but the draw figures to leave him waiting for a (much) better spot.